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“Israelis and ­Germans show ­greater openness”

 

In 2015 Germany and Israel are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. An interview with the German Ambassador Andreas Michaelis.

 

The 2015 jubilee year is moving towards its climax in May. Which events would you especially recommend to Israelis who have an interest in Germany?
I can highly recommend the 50-50-50 series of films, which is running in cinemas in Sderot, Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Holon. It shows 50 German films from 50 years by 50 directors – from Alexander Kluge and Werner Herzog to Tom Tykwer and Fatih Akin. The series presents the social themes, the moods and the film aesthetics of the last 50 years in Germany. In May we have many existing projects, including a photographic project in Tel Aviv: German and Israeli students of photo­graphy and graphic arts are working on the subject of the Ten Commandants. Their works will be displayed in everyday settings at bus stops. In addition, the Ensemble Modern, what must be the most famous orchestra for contemporary music, has announced performances in Jerusalem in June.

 

The anniversary programme is as multifaceted as relations between the two countries. Nevertheless, where do you still see potential for greater cooperation?
We should carry the momentum of 2015 onward into coming years. I would be pleased to see as many new projects as possible. What is important here is an intensification of existing and new fields of cooperation. In February, a symposium of the Weizmann Institute, the Max Planck Society and the Israeli Academy of Sciences brought together highly respected researchers in Tel Aviv. It was a magnificent event that presented many thought-provoking new ideas. When it comes to our already very close research cooperation, it is important, for example, that we also increasingly focus on questions of applied research. Another question that presents itself is how we can link our research cooperation into the potential of the highly dynamic and innovative private high-tech sector in Israel. The phenomenon of Israel as a “startup nation” is attracting more and more delegations from Germany. There is great potential here for new fields of cooperation.

 

It is a coincidence that the 25th anniversary of German reunification is also being celebrated in 2015. Israel sometimes took a rather critical stance towards reunification at that time. Today, Germany’s image seems to have been transformed: a survey at the end of 2014 showed that 68% of Israelis have a pos­itive attitude to Germany. How would you explain that?
It cannot be overlooked that a great deal of trust has grown in our relations. The countless encounters between Germans and Israelis in the last 50 years have made a major contribution to that. A quarter of all Israelis have visited Germany. Step by step we Germans have faced up to the crime of the Shoah. German post-war ­democracy has endeavoured to formulate an answer. And this answer is responsibility. Not only in fine words, but also in deeds. Also and especially towards Israel. On the Israeli side, people have listened and observed very closely. Evidently ­people have come to the conclusion that we are serious about what we say. Today Israel encounters a Germany that accepts itself and its values. People see this development very positively here.

 

And looking in the opposite direction, how would you assess Germans’ interest in Israel?
It depends on perspective and experience. Germans who approach Israel from the special historical perspective show an understanding for the difficulties and dangers that confront the country. Those who have personally become acquainted with Israel and its people often show great sympathy. Those who approach Israel from the perspective of the Middle East conflict are increasingly tending towards critical judgements. This tendency was again ­documented by a recently published study of the Bertelsmann Foundation.

 

Are you worried about the growing number of critical voices?
Something I have experienced in many discussions is that people are worn down and appalled by the many images of viol­ence that reach us from the Middle East. It sometimes then only takes a small step and Israel is made generally responsible for this. However, that does not do justice to the very complicated political situation. Especially for us as Germans, it is import­ant to discuss questions of the Middle East conflict in an accurate and balanced way. And I must add that I consider it right for us to assume a basic position of solidarity with Israel here. Some people in Germany will be surprised to learn that it is often Israelis who remind us that as Germans we do not have to agree with every Israeli policy. It is these voices in particular, however, that also expect our judgements to be honest and fair. I am not worried about evidence of increasingly critical questions in Germany. There are good answers to that. Our dialogue is dynamic and broad-based. I am certain that within this special relationship we will never become frozen in false answers.

 

The last contemporary witnesses of the Holocaust have now reached old age. In your opinion, what impact will the growing historical distance to National Socialism have on the future of German-Israeli relations?
In itself, the growing historical distance has little effect. As time goes by, however, the crimes of the Shoah will continue to move into the past, but that changes nothing about their historical presence. Federal President Gauck put this in a nutshell on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz: “There is no German identity without Auschwitz.” It will continue to be important how we remember, how we uphold this memory and this warning from the past.

 

Recently, a young man said in a TV ­interview: “I am a Berlin Israeli.” The enthusiasm for Berlin is sometimes seen rather critically in Israel. Can you understand that?
Of course, it is understandable that there are Jews and Israelis who have apprehensions about Germany. Even today. At the same time, Israel can be proud of its young people, who are so gifted and cosmopol­itan that they work successfully in Berlin and influence city life there. That is a source of enrichment for Berlin. And it is also a gain for Germany.

 

What would you wish for the next 50 years of our relations?
One word that I hear again and again in connection with the anniversary of German-Israeli relations is friendship. That would have been impossible only a few years ago. It is my impression that Israelis and Germans encounter one another with increasing openness. Our friendship is growing.

Janet Schayan

Partner

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

This is the archived content of official bilateral website that was founded by the German and Israeli government on the occasion of the Jubilee Year 2015. This website contains the articles of the bilateral website, but will be static and will not be maintained. It serves as documentation of the multi-faceted cooperation between Germany and Israel We hope you enjoy exploring 50 years of German-Israeli relations!

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